WILD LIFE OF ORCHARD AND FIELD 



to shade and orchard trees — one of Nature's rudest 

 methods of pruning. 



Such ice-storms occasionally happen as late as 

 the last week of March, by which time all animal 

 life has begun to stir about and many birds have 

 arrived, so that widespread distress and death 

 are likely to follow. The little birds can usually 

 shelter themselves, though migrating hosts some- 

 times become so soaked and chilled in such storms 

 that they are unable to fly, tumble helpless to the 

 ground, and may be caught in the hands. The 

 larger birds fare even worse. Credible instances 

 have come to my knowledge of eagles and swans 

 — the strongest of land and aquatic birds respec- 

 tively — becoming so plumage-soaked and loaded 

 with ice that they could not spread their wings 

 or rise into the air, and have thus suffered the 

 humiliation of being taken alive or knocked over 

 with sticks. 



I recall one such season when a tempest of freez- 

 ing rain had raged for thirty-six hours, though it 

 was quite time for winter's savagery to cease, even 

 in stern New England. 



Next morning it was hard times among the wild 

 animals in the grove, and worse out in the country 

 fields. Seeds and buds were locked in icy chests, 



89 



